Unidirectional vault synchronization to support tiering

ABSTRACT

A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to execute the operational instructions to perform various operations and functions. The computing device selects storage parameters for a multi-vault synchronization process from a first storage vault to a second storage vault. The computing device synchronizes storage of the set(s) of ingestion encoded data slices (EDSs) between the vaults and maintains storage of a portion of an ingestion data stream within the second storage vault. The computing device facilitates deletion of the set(s) of ingestion EDSs corresponding to the portion of an ingestion data stream from the first storage vault. the computing device performs additional multi-vault synchronization process(es) for any other portion(s) of the ingestion data stream.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 14/926,891, entitled “REDISTRIBUTING ENCODED DATASLICES IN A DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK,” filed Oct. 29, 2015, pending,which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/098,414, entitled “SYNCHRONIZING UTILIZATION OF APLURALITY OF DISPERSED STORAGE RESOURCES,” filed Dec. 31, 2014, both ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for allpurposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer networks and moreparticularly to dispersing error encoded data.

Description of Related Art

Computing devices are known to communicate data, process data, and/orstore data. Such computing devices range from wireless smart phones,laptops, tablets, personal computers (PC), work stations, and video gamedevices, to data centers that support millions of web searches, stocktrades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing deviceincludes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory system, userinput/output interfaces, peripheral device interfaces, and aninterconnecting bus structure.

As is further known, a computer may effectively extend its CPU by using“cloud computing” to perform one or more computing functions (e.g., aservice, an application, an algorithm, an arithmetic logic function,etc.) on behalf of the computer. Further, for large services,applications, and/or functions, cloud computing may be performed bymultiple cloud computing resources in a distributed manner to improvethe response time for completion of the service, application, and/orfunction. For example, Hadoop is an open source software framework thatsupports distributed applications enabling application execution bythousands of computers.

In addition to cloud computing, a computer may use “cloud storage” aspart of its memory system. As is known, cloud storage enables a user,via its computer, to store files, applications, etc. on an Internetstorage system. The Internet storage system may include a RAID(redundant array of independent disks) system and/or a dispersed storagesystem that uses an error correction scheme to encode data for storage.

Prior art data storage systems do not provide adequate means to provideacceptable operation and synchronization of data between variousportions therein. For example, different respective portions of a priorart data storage system may include versions of similar or same data,and the prior art does not provide effective means to ensuresynchronization of them while maintaining overall efficient systemperformance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed ordistributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing corein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storageerror encoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an errorencoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a specific example of an errorencoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a slice name of anencoded data slice (EDS) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storageerror decoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an errordecoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed ordistributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of ingesting data forstorage in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more computing devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed, ordistributed, storage network (DSN) 10 that includes a plurality ofcomputing devices 12-16, a managing unit 18, an integrity processingunit 20, and a DSN memory 22. The components of the DSN 10 are coupledto a network 24, which may include one or more wireless and/or wirelined communication systems; one or more non-public intranet systemsand/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks(LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of storage units 36 that may belocated at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one inMilwaukee, etc.), at a common site, or a combination thereof. Forexample, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, eachstorage unit is located at a different site. As another example, if theDSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, all eight storage unitsare located at the same site. As yet another example, if the DSN memory22 includes eight storage units 36, a first pair of storage units are ata first common site, a second pair of storage units are at a secondcommon site, a third pair of storage units are at a third common site,and a fourth pair of storage units are at a fourth common site. Notethat a DSN memory 22 may include more or less than eight storage units36. Further note that each storage unit 36 includes a computing core (asshown in FIG. 2, or components thereof) and a plurality of memorydevices for storing dispersed error encoded data.

Each of the computing devices 12-16, the managing unit 18, and theintegrity processing unit 20 include a computing core 26, which includesnetwork interfaces 30-33. Computing devices 12-16 may each be a portablecomputing device and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computingdevice may be a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone,a smart phone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digitalvideo player, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a videogame controller, and/or any other portable device that includes acomputing core. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), acomputer server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a televisionset, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a videogame console, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment.Note that each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit20 may be separate computing devices, may be a common computing device,and/or may be integrated into one or more of the computing devices 12-16and/or into one or more of the storage units 36.

Each interface 30, 32, and 33 includes software and hardware to supportone or more communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/ordirectly. For example, interface 30 supports a communication link (e.g.,wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) betweencomputing devices 14 and 16. As another example, interface 32 supportscommunication links (e.g., a wired connection, a wireless connection, aLAN connection, and/or any other type of connection to/from the network24) between computing devices 12 & 16 and the DSN memory 22. As yetanother example, interface 33 supports a communication link for each ofthe managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 to the network24.

Computing devices 12 and 16 include a dispersed storage (DS) clientmodule 34, which enables the computing device to dispersed storage errorencode and decode data as subsequently described with reference to oneor more of FIGS. 3-8. In this example embodiment, computing device 16functions as a dispersed storage processing agent for computing device14. In this role, computing device 16 dispersed storage error encodesand decodes data on behalf of computing device 14. With the use ofdispersed storage error encoding and decoding, the DSN 10 is tolerant ofa significant number of storage unit failures (the number of failures isbased on parameters of the dispersed storage error encoding function)without loss of data and without the need for a redundant or backupcopies of the data. Further, the DSN 10 stores data for an indefiniteperiod of time without data loss and in a secure manner (e.g., thesystem is very resistant to unauthorized attempts at accessing thedata).

In operation, the managing unit 18 performs DS management services. Forexample, the managing unit 18 establishes distributed data storageparameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage parameters,security parameters, billing information, user profile information,etc.) for computing devices 12-14 individually or as part of a group ofuser devices. As a specific example, the managing unit 18 coordinatescreation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block associated with aportion of an overall namespace of the DSN) within the DSN memory 22 fora user device, a group of devices, or for public access and establishesper vault dispersed storage (DS) error encoding parameters for a vault.The managing unit 18 facilitates storage of DS error encoding parametersfor each vault by updating registry information of the DSN 10, where theregistry information may be stored in the DSN memory 22, a computingdevice 12-16, the managing unit 18, and/or the integrity processing unit20.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates and stores user profile information(e.g., an access control list (ACL)) in local memory and/or withinmemory of the DSN module 22. The user profile information includesauthentication information, permissions, and/or the security parameters.The security parameters may include encryption/decryption scheme, one ormore encryption keys, key generation scheme, and/or dataencoding/decoding scheme.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates billing information for a particularuser, a user group, a vault access, public vault access, etc. Forinstance, the DSN managing unit 18 tracks the number of times a useraccesses a non-public vault and/or public vaults, which can be used togenerate a per-access billing information. In another instance, the DSNmanaging unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/or retrieved by auser device and/or a user group, which can be used to generate aper-data-amount billing information.

As another example, the managing unit 18 performs network operations,network administration, and/or network maintenance. Network operationsincludes authenticating user data allocation requests (e.g., read and/orwrite requests), managing creation of vaults, establishingauthentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting components(e.g., user devices, storage units, and/or computing devices with a DSclient module 34) to/from the DSN 10, and/or establishing authenticationcredentials for the storage units 36. Network administration includesmonitoring devices and/or units for failures, maintaining vaultinformation, determining device and/or unit activation status,determining device and/or unit loading, and/or determining any othersystem level operation that affects the performance level of the DSN 10.Network maintenance includes facilitating replacing, upgrading,repairing, and/or expanding a device and/or unit of the DSN 10.

The integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding of ‘bad’ or missingencoded data slices. At a high level, the integrity processing unit 20performs rebuilding by periodically attempting to retrieve/list encodeddata slices, and/or slice names of the encoded data slices, from the DSNmemory 22. For retrieved encoded slices, they are checked for errors dueto data corruption, outdated version, etc. If a slice includes an error,it is flagged as a ‘bad’ slice. For encoded data slices that were notreceived and/or not listed, they are flagged as missing slices. Badand/or missing slices are subsequently rebuilt using other retrievedencoded data slices that are deemed to be good slices to produce rebuiltslices. The rebuilt slices are stored in the DSN memory 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, mainmemory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO)controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58,an IO interface module 60, at least one IO device interface module 62, aread only memory (ROM) basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one ormore memory interface modules. The one or more memory interfacemodule(s) includes one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interfacemodule 66, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface module 68, a networkinterface module 70, a flash interface module 72, a hard drive interfacemodule 74, and a DSN interface module 76.

The DSN interface module 76 functions to mimic a conventional operatingsystem (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file system (NFS),flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol(FTP), web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.)and/or a block memory interface (e.g., small computer system interface(SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). The DSNinterface module 76 and/or the network interface module 70 may functionas one or more of the interface 30-33 of FIG. 1. Note that the IO deviceinterface module 62 and/or the memory interface modules 66-76 may becollectively or individually referred to as IO ports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storageerror encoding of data. When a computing device 12 or 16 has data tostore it disperse storage error encodes the data in accordance with adispersed storage error encoding process based on dispersed storageerror encoding parameters. The dispersed storage error encodingparameters include an encoding function (e.g., information dispersalalgorithm, Reed-Solomon, Cauchy Reed-Solomon, systematic encoding,non-systematic encoding, on-line codes, etc.), a data segmentingprotocol (e.g., data segment size, fixed, variable, etc.), and per datasegment encoding values. The per data segment encoding values include atotal, or pillar width, number (T) of encoded data slices per encodingof a data segment i.e., in a set of encoded data slices); a decodethreshold number (D) of encoded data slices of a set of encoded dataslices that are needed to recover the data segment; a read thresholdnumber (R) of encoded data slices to indicate a number of encoded dataslices per set to be read from storage for decoding of the data segment;and/or a write threshold number (W) to indicate a number of encoded dataslices per set that must be accurately stored before the encoded datasegment is deemed to have been properly stored. The dispersed storageerror encoding parameters may further include slicing information (e.g.,the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each datasegment) and/or slice security information (e.g., per encoded data sliceencryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).

In the present example, Cauchy Reed-Solomon has been selected as theencoding function (a generic example is shown in FIG. 4 and a specificexample is shown in FIG. 5); the data segmenting protocol is to dividethe data object into fixed sized data segments; and the per data segmentencoding values include: a pillar width of 5, a decode threshold of 3, aread threshold of 4, and a write threshold of 4. In accordance with thedata segmenting protocol, the computing device 12 or 16 divides the data(e.g., a file (e.g., text, video, audio, etc.), a data object, or otherdata arrangement) into a plurality of fixed sized data segments (e.g., 1through Y of a fixed size in range of Kilo-bytes to Tera-bytes or more).The number of data segments created is dependent of the size of the dataand the data segmenting protocol.

The computing device 12 or 16 then disperse storage error encodes a datasegment using the selected encoding function (e.g., Cauchy Reed-Solomon)to produce a set of encoded data slices. FIG. 4 illustrates a genericCauchy Reed-Solomon encoding function, which includes an encoding matrix(EM), a data matrix (DM), and a coded matrix (CM). The size of theencoding matrix (EM) is dependent on the pillar width number (T) and thedecode threshold number (D) of selected per data segment encodingvalues. To produce the data matrix (DM), the data segment is dividedinto a plurality of data blocks and the data blocks are arranged into Dnumber of rows with Z data blocks per row. Note that Z is a function ofthe number of data blocks created from the data segment and the decodethreshold number (D). The coded matrix is produced by matrix multiplyingthe data matrix by the encoding matrix.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of Cauchy Reed-Solomon encodingwith a pillar number (T) of five and decode threshold number of three.In this example, a first data segment is divided into twelve data blocks(D1-D12). The coded matrix includes five rows of coded data blocks,where the first row of X11-X14 corresponds to a first encoded data slice(EDS 1_1), the second row of X21-X24 corresponds to a second encodeddata slice (EDS 2_1), the third row of X31-X34 corresponds to a thirdencoded data slice (EDS 3_1), the fourth row of X41-X44 corresponds to afourth encoded data slice (EDS 4_1), and the fifth row of X51-X54corresponds to a fifth encoded data slice (EDS 5_1). Note that thesecond number of the EDS designation corresponds to the data segmentnumber.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the computing device also createsa slice name (SN) for each encoded data slice (EDS) in the set ofencoded data slices. A typical format for a slice name 60 is shown inFIG. 6. As shown, the slice name (SN) 60 includes a pillar number of theencoded data slice (e.g., one of 1-T), a data segment number (e.g., oneof 1-Y), a vault identifier (ID), a data object identifier (ID), and mayfurther include revision level information of the encoded data slices.The slice name functions as, at least part of, a DSN address for theencoded data slice for storage and retrieval from the DSN memory 22.

As a result of encoding, the computing device 12 or 16 produces aplurality of sets of encoded data slices, which are provided with theirrespective slice names to the storage units for storage. As shown, thefirst set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_1 through EDS 5_1 andthe first set of slice names includes SN 1_1 through SN 5_1 and the lastset of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_Y through EDS 5_Y and the lastset of slice names includes SN 1_Y through SN 5_Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storageerror decoding of a data object that was dispersed storage error encodedand stored in the example of FIG. 4. In this example, the computingdevice 12 or 16 retrieves from the storage units at least the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices per data segment. As a specificexample, the computing device retrieves a read threshold number ofencoded data slices.

To recover a data segment from a decode threshold number of encoded dataslices, the computing device uses a decoding function as shown in FIG.8. As shown, the decoding function is essentially an inverse of theencoding function of FIG. 4. The coded matrix includes a decodethreshold number of rows (e.g., three in this example) and the decodingmatrix in an inversion of the encoding matrix that includes thecorresponding rows of the coded matrix. For example, if the coded matrixincludes rows 1, 2, and 4, the encoding matrix is reduced to rows 1, 2,and 4, and then inverted to produce the decoding matrix.

In some examples, note that dispersed or distributed storage network(DSN) memory includes one or more of a plurality of storage units (SUs)such as SUs 36 (e.g., that may alternatively be referred to adistributed storage and/or task network (DSTN) module that includes aplurality of distributed storage and/or task (DST) execution units 36that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one inChicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.). Each of the SUs (e.g., alternativelyreferred to as DST execution units in some examples) is operable tostore dispersed error encoded data and/or to execute, in a distributedmanner, one or more tasks on data. The tasks may be a simple function(e.g., a mathematical function, a logic function, an identify function,a find function, a search engine function, a replace function, etc.), acomplex function (e.g., compression, human and/or computer languagetranslation, text-to-voice conversion, voice-to-text conversion, etc.),multiple simple and/or complex functions, one or more algorithms, one ormore applications, etc.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a dispersedor distributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the presentinvention. This diagram includes is a schematic block diagram of anotherembodiment of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes at leasttwo storage vaults, the network 24 of FIG. 1, and two computing devices1-2. Each computing device may be implemented utilizing the computingdevice 16 of FIG. 1. Each storage vault includes a set of n storageunits (SUs). For example, the storage vault 1 includes SUs 1-1 through1-n and the storage vault 2 includes SUs 2-1 through 1-n. Alternatively,the at least two storage vaults may be implemented virtually within asingle common set of SUs.

The DSN functions to ingest data for storage in one or more of the atleast two storage vaults. In an example of operation of the ingesting ofthe data, the computing device 1 facilitates storage of an ingestiondata stream 910 in the first storage vault, where the first storagevault is associated with favorable performance for data ingestion (e.g.,fast storage, low access latency). The facilitating includes one or moreof dispersed storage error encoding at least a portion of the ingestiondata stream 910 to produce one or more sets of ingested data slices 920and storing the one or more sets of ingested data slices 920 in the SUsof the first storage vault.

The computing device 2 selects storage parameters for a multi-vaultsynchronization process between the first storage vault and at least thesecond storage vault. For example, the computing device 2 selects thesecond storage vault and selects dispersal parameters for the secondstorage vault. The selecting may be based on one or more of apredetermination, interpreting system registry information for storagevault 2, and receiving the dispersal parameters.

Having selected the storage parameters, the computing device 2synchronizes storage of ingested data slices 920 from the first storagevault to the second storage vault utilizing the selected storageparameters. For example, for a portion of a DSN address rangecorresponding to the selected data object, the computing device 2recovers, via the network 24, at least a portion of the ingestion datastream 910 from the first vault (e.g., by receiving ingested data slices920 and disperse storage error decoding the received ingested dataslices 920 to produce a recovered portion of the ingestion data stream910), re-encodes the portion of the ingestion data stream 910 utilizingthe selected storage parameters to produce synchronized slices 930, andsends, via the network 24, the synchronized slices 930 to the storagevault 2 for storage.

Having synchronized the storage, the computing device 2 maintainsstorage of the portion of the ingestion stream within the at least thesecond vault and that within the first vault. For example, the computingdevice 2 facilitates deletion of the ingested data slices 920corresponding to the portion of the ingestion stream from the firststorage vault and indicates not to maintain further synchronization forthe portion of the ingestion stream.

When further portions of the ingestion data stream 910 exists within thefirst storage vault, the computing device 2 selects another portion ofthe ingestion data stream 910 and repeats the multi-vaultsynchronization process. Alternatively, or in addition to, afterdeleting data from the first vault utilized for ingestion, the computingdevice 2 may move the portion of the data stream from the second vaultto another recovery vault (e.g., one associated with high-speed access)to facilitate fast retrieval and many retrievals per unit of time. Forexample, the computing device 2 moves the portion of the ingested datastream from the second storage vault to the first storage vault. Asanother example, the computing device 2 moves the portion of theingested data stream from the second storage vault to a third storagevault to support further retrieving of the portion of the ingested datastream.

In an example of operation and implementation, a computing deviceincludes an interface configured to interface and communicate with adispersed or distributed storage network (DSN), a memory that storesoperational instructions, and a processing module, processor, and/orprocessing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and memory. Theprocessing module, processor, and/or processing circuitry is configuredto execute the operational instructions to perform various operations,functions, etc. In some examples, the processing module, processor,and/or processing circuitry, when operable within the computing devicebased on the operational instructions, is configured to perform variousoperations, functions, etc. In certain examples, the processing module,processor, and/or processing circuitry, when operable within thecomputing device is configured to perform one or more functions that mayinclude generation of one or more signals, processing of one or moresignals, receiving of one or more signals, transmission of one or moresignals, interpreting of one or more signals, etc. and/or any otheroperations as described herein and/or their equivalents.

In an example of operation and implementation, a computing device (e.g.,computing device 16 of FIG. 1, computing device 2 of FIG. 9, and/or anyother diagram, example, embodiment, equivalent, etc. as describedherein) is configured to select storage parameters for a multi-vaultsynchronization process from a first storage vault to a second storagevault. In some examples, the first storage vault includes a firstplurality of storage units (SUs) within the DSN, and the second storagevault that includes a second plurality of SUs. Also, the first pluralityof SUs distributedly stores one or more sets of ingestion encoded dataslices (EDSs) that are generated based on dispersed error encoding of atleast a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordance with firstdispersed error encoding parameters. Also, a data object of the at leasta portion of an ingestion data stream is segmented into a plurality ofdata segments, and a data segment of the plurality of data segments isdispersed error encoded in accordance with the first dispersed errorencoding parameters to produce a set of ingestion EDSs of the one ormore sets of ingestion EDSs. The computing device is also configured toselect second dispersed error encoding parameters. The computing deviceis also configured to synchronize storage of the one or more sets ofingestion EDSs from the first storage vault to the second storage vaultbased on the second dispersed error encoding parameters. The computingdevice is also configured to maintain storage of the at least a portionof an ingestion data stream within the second storage vault. Thecomputing device is also configured to facilitate deletion of the one ormore sets of ingestion EDSs corresponding to the at least a portion ofan ingestion data stream from the first storage vault. When theingestion data stream includes at least one other portion, the computingdevice is also configured to perform another multi-vault synchronizationprocess from the first storage vault to the second storage vault for theat least one other portion of the ingestion data stream.

In some examples, the computing device is also configured to select thesecond dispersed error encoding parameters based on a predetermination,an interpretation of a system registry information for the secondstorage vault, and/or receiving the second dispersed error encodingparameters.

In even examples, the computing device is also configured to synchronizethe storage of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs from the firststorage vault to the second storage vault based on the second dispersederror encoding parameters based on recovery, via the DSN, of the atleast a portion of an ingestion data stream from the first storagevault, re-encoding of the at least a portion of an ingestion data streamin accordance with the second dispersed error encoding parameters toproduce synchronized EDSs, and transmission, via the DSN, of thesynchronized EDSs to the second storage vault for storage therein.

Also, with respect to certain embodiments, examples, etc., anothercomputing device (e.g., computing device 16 of FIG. 1, computing device1 of FIG. 9, and/or any other diagram, example, embodiment, equivalent,etc. as described herein) in communication with the DSN is configured toproduce the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs that are generated basedon dispersed error encoding of the at least a portion of an ingestiondata stream in accordance with first dispersed error encodingparameters.

In some examples, with respect to a data object, the data object issegmented into a plurality of data segments, and a data segment of theplurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance withdispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded dataslices (EDSs) (e.g., in some instances, the set of EDSs aredistributedly stored in a plurality of storage units (SUs) within theDSN). In some examples, the set of EDSs is of pillar width. Also, withrespect to certain implementations, note that the decode thresholdnumber of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment, and a readthreshold number of EDSs provides for reconstruction of the datasegment. Also, a write threshold number of EDSs provides for asuccessful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least onelocation in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN. Theset of EDSs is of pillar width and includes a pillar number of EDSs.Also, in some examples, each of the decode threshold, the readthreshold, and the write threshold is less than the pillar number. Also,in some particular examples, the write threshold number is greater thanor equal to the read threshold number that is greater than or equal tothe decode threshold number.

Note that the computing device as described herein may be located at afirst premises that is remotely located from a second premisesassociated with at least one other SU, dispersed storage (DS) unit,computing device, at least one SU of a plurality of SUs within the DSN(e.g., such as a plurality of SUs that are implemented to storedistributedly a set of EDSs), etc. In addition, note that such acomputing device as described herein may be implemented as any of anumber of different devices including a managing unit that is remotelylocated from another SU, DS unit, computing device, etc. within the DSNand/or other device within the DSN, an integrity processing unit that isremotely located from another computing device and/or other devicewithin the DSN, a scheduling unit that is remotely located from anothercomputing device and/or SU within the DSN, and/or other device. Also,note that such a computing device as described herein may be of any of avariety of types of devices as described herein and/or their equivalentsincluding a DS unit and/or SU included within any group and/or set of DSunits and/or SUs within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, atablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, and/or a video gamedevice, and/or any type of computing device or communication device.Also, note also that the DSN may be implemented to include and/or bebased on any of a number of different types of communication systemsincluding a wireless communication system, a wire lined communicationsystem, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a localarea network (LAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN). Also, in someexamples, any device configured to support communications within such aDSN may be also be configured to and/or specifically implemented tosupport communications within a satellite communication system, awireless communication system, a wired communication system, afiber-optic communication system, and/or a mobile communication system(and/or any other type of communication system implemented using anytype of communication medium or media).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of ingesting data forstorage in accordance with the present invention. This diagram includesis a flowchart illustrating an example of ingesting data for storage.The method 1000 begins or continues at a step 1010 where a processingmodule of one or more processing modules (e.g., of one or moredistributed storage (DS) processing units and/or computing devices)facilitate storage of an ingestion data stream in a first storage vault.For example, the processing module dispersed storage error encodes theingestion data stream utilizing ingestion dispersal parameters toproduce ingestion data slices for storage in the first storage vault.

The method 1000 continues at the step 1020 where the processing moduleselects storage parameters for a multi-vault synchronization processbetween the first storage vault and at least a second storage vault. Forexample, the processing module chooses another vault including at leastthe second storage vault and selects dispersal parameters for each otherstorage vault.

The method 1000 continues at the step 1030 where the processing moduleinitiates a synchronization process including synchronizing storage of aportion of the ingestion datastream from the first storage vault to theat least a second storage vault. For example, the processing modulerecovers the portion of the ingestion datastream from the first vaultutilizing the ingestion dispersal parameters, dispersed storage errorencodes the recovered portion of the ingestion datastream using selectedstorage parameters to produce synchronized slices, and facilitatesstorage of the synchronized slices in the at least a second storagevault.

The method 1000 continues at the step 1040 where the processing modulemaintains storage of the portion of the ingestion datastream within theat least a second storage vault. For example, the processing modulefacilitates deleting the ingestion data slices from the first storagevault and indicates not to maintain further synchronization for theportion of the ingestion datastream.

When further portions of the ingestion datastream exists within thefirst storage vault, the method 1000 continues at the step 1050 wherethe processing module selects another portion of the ingestiondatastream and repeats the synchronization process for each otherportion. For example, the processing module determines that anotherportion of the ingestion datastream exists within the first storagevault, identifies a next portion of the ingestion datastream as theother portion, recovers the next portion of the ingestion datastream forthe first storage vault, selects storage parameters for the nextportion, dispersed storage error encodes the recovered next portion toproduce further synchronized slices, and facilitate storage of thefurther synchronized slices in the at least a second storage vault.

Alternatively, or in addition to, after deleting data from the firststorage vault, the processing module may move the data from the secondstorage vault to a high-speed recovery storage vault to facilitate fastretrieval and/or many retrievals per unit of time. For example, theprocessing module facilitates moving the data back to the first storagevault. As another example, the processing module facilitates moving thedata to another storage vault associated with fast retrieval.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 1100 forexecution by one or more computing devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 1100 operates in step 1110 by selectingstorage parameters for a multi-vault synchronization process from afirst storage vault to a second storage vault within a dispersed ordistributed storage network (DSN). In some examples, the first storagevault includes a first plurality of storage units (SUs), and the secondstorage vault that includes a second plurality of SUs. Also, in certainexamples, the first plurality of SUs distributedly stores one or moresets of ingestion encoded data slices (EDSs) that are generated based ondispersed error encoding of at least a portion of an ingestion datastream in accordance with first dispersed error encoding parameters.Note that a data object of the at least a portion of an ingestion datastream is segmented into a plurality of data segments, and a datasegment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded inaccordance with the first dispersed error encoding parameters to producea set of ingestion EDSs of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs.

The method 1100 then continues in step 1120 by selecting seconddispersed error encoding parameters. The method 1100 operates in step1130 by synchronizing (e.g., via an interface of the computing devicethat is configured to interface and communicate with a DSN), storage ofthe one or more sets of ingestion EDSs from the first storage vault tothe second storage vault based on the second dispersed error encodingparameters.

The method 1100 then continues in step 1140 by maintaining storage ofthe at least a portion of an ingestion data stream within the secondstorage vault. The method 1100 then operates in step 1150 byfacilitating (e.g., via the interface) deletion of the one or more setsof ingestion EDSs corresponding to the at least a portion of aningestion data stream from the first storage vault.

When the ingestion data stream includes at least one other portion (asdetermined by step 1160), the method 1100 branches in a first yes pathto step 1170 and operates by performing another multi-vaultsynchronization process from the first storage vault to the secondstorage vault for the at least one other portion of the ingestion datastream. Alternatively, when the ingestion data stream includes at leastone other portion (as determined by step 1160), the method 1100 branchesback in a second yes path to step 1110 and performs steps similar to1110-1150 for the at least one other portion of the ingestion datastream (and may perform multiple loops for each of the multiplerespective other portion of the ingestion data stream).

Alternatively, when the ingestion data stream does not include at leastone other portion (as determined by step 1160), the method 1100 branchesin a no path and ends.

This disclosure presents, among other things, various novel solutionsthat operate and provide for unidirectional vault synchronization tosupport tiering. For example, vault synchronization agents may beslightly amended to implement tiering between different DSN memories orvaults. For example, in a case between a local low-latency vault, and ageo-dispersed high-latency vault, high input/output operations persecond (IOPS) or latency sensitive entities may choose to access thevault that is local to or closest to them. Meanwhile, the chances theyimplement will be synchronized “off-line” by the synchronization agents.In the event that all data is ingested at for specific vaults but notothers, then the concept of “unidirectional synchronization” may beapplied, in which synchronization agents will only write updatedversions of an object into the vaults that are not used for ingest.Given that the data is not migrated back towards these ingest vaults,the synchronization agents may further opt to delete the object from theingest vault(s), once it has been synchronized to the vaults not usedfor ingesting data. In this way, small (low storage capacity), fast,local, and low latency vaults may be used for ingesting data or foroperating on data for a limited period after it is written. When itbecomes “cold”, however, its local instances may be freed to make moreroom for new “hot” data, while the cold data is synchronized to itspermanent resting place (other vaults). The vaults used for ingest,being of lower capacity, may also optimize for TOPS, throughput, andother such operations, while the non-ingest vault(s) may optimize forlow power consumption, high capacity, or low cost, among other factors.As an additional enhancement to support faster reads in the event a coldobject becomes hot again, the computing device may, when provided a readrequest, always attempt to read from the local vault first, and if notfound attempt the read in the cold-storage vaults. Then, when an objectis requested for reads (or requested with a high enough frequency) thecomputing device may violate the unidirectional synchronization to storethe object in the local vault (where it may remain at leasttemporarily).

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundariesof these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined aslong as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed.Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily definedherein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence couldhave been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will alsorecognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrativeblocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustratedor by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits,processors executing appropriate software and the like or anycombination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device suchas a processor or other processing device or other hardware that mayinclude or operate in association with a memory that stores operationalinstructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes oneor more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memorydevice, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within amemory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. The memory device may be in a form a solidstate memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive, servermemory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium forstoring digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: an interfaceconfigured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributedstorage network (DSN); memory that stores operational instructions; andprocessing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to thememory, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to execute theoperational instructions to: select storage parameters for a multi-vaultsynchronization process from a first storage vault to a second storagevault, wherein the first storage vault includes a first plurality ofstorage units (SUs) within the DSN, wherein the second storage vaultthat includes a second plurality of SUs, wherein the first plurality ofSUs distributedly stores one or more sets of ingestion encoded dataslices (EDSs) that are generated based on dispersed error encoding of atleast a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordance with firstdispersed error encoding parameters, wherein a data object of the atleast a portion of an ingestion data stream is segmented into aplurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality ofdata segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with the firstdispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of ingestion EDSsof the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs; select second dispersed errorencoding parameters; synchronize storage of the one or more sets ofingestion EDSs from the first storage vault to the second storage vaultbased on the second dispersed error encoding parameters; maintainstorage of the at least a portion of an ingestion data stream within thesecond storage vault; facilitate deletion of the one or more sets ofingestion EDSs corresponding to the at least a portion of an ingestiondata stream from the first storage vault; and when the ingestion datastream includes at least one other portion, perform another multi-vaultsynchronization process from the first storage vault to the secondstorage vault for the at least one other portion of the ingestion datastream.
 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to execute the operational instructionsto: select the second dispersed error encoding parameters based on atleast one of a predetermination, an interpretation of a system registryinformation for the second storage vault, or receiving the seconddispersed error encoding parameters.
 3. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to execute theoperational instructions to: synchronize the storage of the one or moresets of ingestion EDSs from the first storage vault to the secondstorage vault based on the second dispersed error encoding parametersbased on recovery, via the DSN, of the at least a portion of aningestion data stream from the first storage vault, re-encoding of theat least a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordance with thesecond dispersed error encoding parameters to produce synchronized EDSs,and transmission, via the DSN, of the synchronized EDSs to the secondstorage vault for storage therein.
 4. The computing device of claim 1further comprising: another computing device in communication with theDSN and that is configured to produce the one or more sets of ingestionEDSs that are generated based on dispersed error encoding of the atleast a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordance with firstdispersed error encoding parameters.
 5. The computing device of claim 1,wherein: a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover thedata segment; a read threshold number of EDSs provides forreconstruction of the data segment; a write threshold number of EDSsprovides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first atleast one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in theDSN; the set of EDSs is of pillar width and includes a pillar number ofEDSs; each of the decode threshold number, the read threshold number,and the write threshold number is less than the pillar number; and thewrite threshold number is greater than or equal to the read thresholdnumber that is greater than or equal to the decode threshold number. 6.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the computing device is locatedat a first premises that is remotely located from a second premises ofat least one SU of the first plurality of SUs or the second plurality ofSUs within the DSN.
 7. The computing device of claim 1 furthercomprising: a SU of the first plurality of SUs or the second pluralityof SUs within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, apersonal computers (PC), a work station, or a video game device.
 8. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the DSN includes at least one of awireless communication system, a wire lined communication system, anon-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 9. A computing devicecomprising: an interface configured to interface and communicate with adispersed or distributed storage network (DSN); memory that storesoperational instructions; and processing circuitry operably coupled tothe interface and to the memory, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to execute the operational instructions to: select storageparameters for a multi-vault synchronization process from a firststorage vault to a second storage vault, wherein the first storage vaultincludes a first plurality of storage units (SUs) within the DSN,wherein the second storage vault that includes a second plurality ofSUs, wherein the first plurality of SUs distributedly stores one or moresets of ingestion encoded data slices (EDSs) that are generated based ondispersed error encoding of at least a portion of an ingestion datastream in accordance with first dispersed error encoding parameters,wherein a data object of the at least a portion of an ingestion datastream is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a datasegment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded inaccordance with the first dispersed error encoding parameters to producea set of ingestion EDSs of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs;select second dispersed error encoding parameters based on at least oneof a predetermination, an interpretation of a system registryinformation for the second storage vault, or receiving the seconddispersed error encoding parameters; synchronize storage of the one ormore sets of ingestion EDSs from the first storage vault to the secondstorage vault based on the second dispersed error encoding parametersbased on recovery, via the DSN, of the at least a portion of aningestion data stream from the first storage vault, re-encoding of theat least a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordance with thesecond dispersed error encoding parameters to produce synchronized EDSs,and transmission, via the DSN, of the synchronized EDSs to the secondstorage vault for storage therein; maintain storage of the at least aportion of an ingestion data stream within the second storage vault;facilitate deletion of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSscorresponding to the at least a portion of an ingestion data stream fromthe first storage vault; and when the ingestion data stream includes atleast one other portion, perform another multi-vault synchronizationprocess from the first storage vault to the second storage vault for theat least one other portion of the ingestion data stream.
 10. Thecomputing device of claim 9 further comprising: another computing devicein communication with the DSN and that is configured to produce the oneor more sets of ingestion EDSs that are generated based on dispersederror encoding of the at least a portion of an ingestion data stream inaccordance with first dispersed error encoding parameters.
 11. Thecomputing device of claim 9, wherein: a decode threshold number of EDSsare needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number of EDSsprovides for reconstruction of the data segment; a write thresholdnumber of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSsfrom a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least onelocation in the DSN; the set of EDSs is of pillar width and includes apillar number of EDSs; each of the decode threshold number, the readthreshold number, and the write threshold number is less than the pillarnumber; and the write threshold number is greater than or equal to theread threshold number that is greater than or equal to the decodethreshold number.
 12. The computing device of claim 9 furthercomprising: a SU of the first plurality of SUs or the second pluralityof SUs within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, apersonal computers (PC), a work station, or a video game device.
 13. Thecomputing device of claim 9, wherein the DSN includes at least one of awireless communication system, a wire lined communication system, anon-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 14. A method for executionby a computing device, the method comprising: selecting storageparameters for a multi-vault synchronization process from a firststorage vault to a second storage vault within a dispersed ordistributed storage network (DSN), wherein the first storage vaultincludes a first plurality of storage units (SUs), wherein the secondstorage vault that includes a second plurality of SUs, wherein the firstplurality of SUs distributedly stores one or more sets of ingestionencoded data slices (EDSs) that are generated based on dispersed errorencoding of at least a portion of an ingestion data stream in accordancewith first dispersed error encoding parameters, wherein a data object ofthe at least a portion of an ingestion data stream is segmented into aplurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality ofdata segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with the firstdispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of ingestion EDSsof the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs; selecting second dispersederror encoding parameters; synchronizing, via an interface of thecomputing device that is configured to interface and communicate withthe DSN, storage of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs from thefirst storage vault to the second storage vault based on the seconddispersed error encoding parameters; maintaining storage of the at leasta portion of an ingestion data stream within the second storage vault;facilitating, via the interface, deletion of the one or more sets ofingestion EDSs corresponding to the at least a portion of an ingestiondata stream from the first storage vault; and when the ingestion datastream includes at least one other portion, performing anothermulti-vault synchronization process from the first storage vault to thesecond storage vault for the at least one other portion of the ingestiondata stream.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: selectingthe second dispersed error encoding parameters based on at least one ofa predetermination, an interpretation of a system registry informationfor the second storage vault, or receiving the second dispersed errorencoding parameters.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:synchronizing the storage of the one or more sets of ingestion EDSs fromthe first storage vault to the second storage vault based on the seconddispersed error encoding parameters based on recovery, via the DSN, ofthe at least a portion of an ingestion data stream from the firststorage vault, re-encoding of the at least a portion of an ingestiondata stream in accordance with the second dispersed error encodingparameters to produce synchronized EDSs, and transmission, via the DSN,of the synchronized EDSs to the second storage vault for storagetherein.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein: a decode threshold numberof EDSs are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold numberof EDSs provides for reconstruction of the data segment; a writethreshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the setof EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second atleast one location in the DSN; the set of EDSs is of pillar width andincludes a pillar number of EDSs; each of the decode threshold number,the read threshold number, and the write threshold number is less thanthe pillar number; and the write threshold number is greater than orequal to the read threshold number that is greater than or equal to thedecode threshold number.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein thecomputing device is located at a first premises that is remotely locatedfrom a second premises of at least one SU of the first plurality of SUsor the second plurality of SUs within the DSN.
 19. The method of claim14, wherein the computing device includes a SU of the first plurality ofSUs or the second plurality of SUs within the DSN, a wireless smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, ora video game device.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the DSNincludes at least one of a wireless communication system, a wire linedcommunication system, a non-public intranet system, a public internetsystem, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).